PAUL LAWRIE has one eye on his Qatar Masters defence and another on following Paul McGinley’s route to become Ryder Cup captain.

The Scot launches the defence of his trophy today and is bidding to be the oldest repeat winner in Tour history.

Lawrie swears he’s not ready to put down his clubs yet but admitted he’d love to skipper the Seve Trophy team as McGinley did before being appointed the man to lead Europe at Gleneagles.

The 44-year-old’s victory a year ago in the shortened event lifted him into the top 50 in the world rankings and he also triumphed in 1999

He played solidly to help Europe to Ryder Cup glory and has turned his thoughts to leading the European team.

He said: “If I qualify for the Seve Trophy I’d look seriously to competing especially with Seve’s name next to it.

“I’ve never not played in it when I’ve qualified and if I was asked to be a playing captain then, ‘Yes, why not?’

“I’d need to be asked first so we will have to wait and see.

“They earmarked McGinley a while ago as someone who could be Ryder Cup captain.

“So it’s a good idea. It’s a clever idea as Paul has learned as he’s gone and it would be nice to follow in his footsteps But for the present I’m No.31 in the world and I very much see myself as a player.

“But if they want to offer me the Seve Trophy captaincy I would consider it”

While Lawrie chases a third Qatar Masters success fellow Aberdonian Richie Ramsay is struggling to make the event.

Ramsay withdrew from yesterday’s pro-am with a viral infection.

He said: “I felt so weak I couldn’t practise on Monday and withdrew from the pro-am. At least I’m not due to start the first round until 11.05 so I can now have a good rest and try to build up my strength.”

Lawrie and Ramsay are among 11 Scots in the field for an event that finishes on a Saturday because a Sunday is a normal working day in the Arab country.

England’s Justin Rose, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and American Jason Dufner lead the field.

Last week Dufner shared ninth place in Abu Dhabi with an Etihad Airlines pilot as his stand-in caddy but this week his regular bagman is back.

But the world No.1 hopes he’ll be flying high on the scoreboard alongside defending champ Lawrie.